Elevated systolic blood pressure means the top number of your blood pressure is too high. The systolic blood pressure should be less than 140. It is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. If it stays high it is called hypertension. Each time the heart contracts it pushes blood against the arteries. Over time, the heart can become enlarged. It is normal for systolic blood pressure to become elevated in response to stress.
High Systolic Blood Pressure
Elevated systolic blood pressure means the top number of your blood pressure is too high. The systolic blood pressure should be less than 140. It is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. If it stays high it is called hypertension. Hypertension leads to hardening of the arteries and can cause stroke and congestive heart failure. Each time the heart contracts it pushes blood against the arteries. Over time, the heart can become enlarged.
Significance
Elevated systolic blood pressure, known as systolic hypertension is dangerous to health. The results can lead to kidney failure, congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, heart attack and visual impairment, including blindness.
Types
Systolic blood pressure with a diastolic (bottom number), blood pressure less than 90 is known as isolated systolic hypertension. When the systolic blood pressure is over 140, and diastolic blood pressure is less than 90, the condition is known as isolated systolic hypertension. It occurs primarily in older people, and is the result of hardening, or "stiff" arteries. High systolic blood pressure, accompanied by diastolic blood pressure over 90 is known as hypertension.
Risk Factors
Blood pressure increases with age, and is most prevalent over age 60. Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of high blood pressure in older adults. Blacks are more at risk than are whites, according to Mayo Clinic. Obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Dietary factors than elevate blood pressure include high salt intake, smoking, physical inactivity, low dietary potassium intake, low vitamin D, and high alcohol intake. High cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and stress are also risk factors.
Lowering Systolic Blood Pressure
Eliminate tobacco and alcohol to lower systolic blood pressure. Learn to control stress. Remain active, with moderate physical activity three days a week for thirty minutes. Decrease salt intake. Practice deep breathing exercise, or find other ways to relax for short regular intervals throughout the day. Maintain a healthy weight by eating lower calorie and low cholesterol foods.
Diagnosis
Home blood pressure monitoring devices can tell your doctor if you have systolic hypertension. Keep an accurate record for your doctor to review. Diagnosis of systolic hypertension may require more than one visit to the doctor's office to have your blood pressure taken. Blood work to measure kidney function, electrolytes and a urine test can help diagnose high blood pressure. If the cause is an underlying abnormality, treatment will eliminate the problem. A normal test result, with continued high blood pressure readings, requires treatment.
Treatment
Several types of medications are used to treat high blood pressure. Systolic hypertension is more difficult to address, because the diastolic blood pressure will also become lower, and potentially cause new problems. The preferred treatment is dietary and lifestyle changes to avoid using medications that can cause side effects. Adding fruits and vegetables, avoiding red meat and high-sodium foods, weight loss, and starting an exercise program can treat systolic high blood pressure. Moderating alcohol intake and tobacco cessation are also important lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.
